Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Price of Freedom

I often wonder about the founders of this country; men that were willing to put their life on the line for an unproven concept of freedom.

The relevancy of those stirring words of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, urging future generations that, "when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Of course, rebellion then and rebellion now are two completely different things. And, if today's Americans were to follow Jefferson's exhortation, the sheer size and power of the government's security apparatus would spell a much quicker and decisive end than any rebellion 250 years ago.

I thought of how far we of privilege would go for freedom...as far as Enjolras and his ill-fated crew of student revolutionistas in Les Miz? They were so innocently unaware of their ultimate fate. We know full well there are no creature comforts in Maximum Security...and, while death for a cause may sound noble, it doesn't sound fun.

But, when you have nothing to lose, how far will one go for freedom?

How far will North Korean men go...now that the 10 sanctioned hair styles they were permitted to deploy have been reduced to one.

Yes, friends. All male North Korean university students must now wear their hair in the style of the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un.

Is this the straw that ultimately causes the masses to rise up in revolt?

Or, will North Korean male students simply accept that they probably won't get laid until they graduate?

Just One Thing

That's all it would take for approval ratings of Congress and the President to skyrocket. Just one thing.

And, it's not strengthen or eliminate the Affordable Care Act. It's not get the debt under control. It's not even reduce taxation.

It's FIXING this country's Tax Code and process.

I really don't mind paying taxes all that much, though it's frustrating to see how the money is so cavalierly wasted. What burns my butt is that I have to pay a pile of money in fees and forfeit days of my time for the right to give the government my hard-earned money.

According to the National Small Business Association, roughly 60% of small business owners report spending at least 40 hours a year on federal tax preparation alone. 40% say they spent 80 hours on their taxes. That's a half of a month of productivity lost, gone, forefeited.

And, small businesses pay an average of $1500 per employee on tax compliance.

Hey, Uncle Sam? Just send me a friggin' bill and let me pay it...so I can get back to work.

The Reauthorization of Brand USA

The newest Republican Budget bill passed last week 219-205, but not without 12 party faithful jumping ship and voting "no" on the hamhanded attempt to reduce the nation's debt.

There are few who don't believe the debt needs to be addressed...but slashing programs that actually serve to reduce our trade deficit (like Brand USA) makes absolutely no sense (unless you're a hopeless ideologue).

In the shadow of that bill, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida) are pushing for the government to reauthorize Brand USA for five years. Welch called continuing the program “a no-brainer.”

No Brainer or not...it's time to reach out to your legislator(s) to encourage their enthusiastic support of the reauthorization.

Because, some clearly don't appear to possess one.

It's Louie Louie Day

Yes, friends...it's a Music Friday for which we've all been waiting.

It's "Louie, Louie" Day...

Richard Berry's original version, years before it was a hit.

The Kingsmen's Mega Hit

and, a few you might not have heard:

The Troggs

The Sonics

The Ventures

Julie London

Otis Redding

Paul Revere & the Raiders

The Angels

The Kinks

The Clash

Iggy Pop

Motorhead

Black Flag

George Duke & Stanley Clarke

Tina Turner

John Belushi

Toots & the Maytalls

The Grateful Dead

Kiss

And there are hundreds more...

What's your fave?

 

It's All About Intent

There are those who say it don't mean squat unless Marketing produces a Sale; the Conversion of a Prospect.

There are Destination Marketers who say it's all about Leads, Bookings and Room Nights.

But, what it's really all about is intent.

To move someone from ambivalent to interested; from a peripheral awareness to intrigue.

Brand USA has increased international intent to visit America by 22%.

And, Congressman Ryan? That's all the math you need to know.

Everyone else? Please remind the Representative from Wisconsin that a 22% swing in consumer (voter) attitude is priceless.

Opening the Opportunity of Ag

In so many destinations, we visit businesses that could be sensationally successful in Ag-Tourism...but they demur, saying that the liability is too great.

I'm far from an Ag-Tourism expert...but, if Ag is big for your Destination Marketing Organization, you should take a look at the legislation just passed (and expected to be signed) in Wisconsin.

In a nutshell, it limits the liability to farmers for damages that could occur while touring a working farm.

Which, could open up incredible opportunities for farmers to supplement income and maintain their sustainability...without fear of frivolous lawsuits because Little Johnny slipped and fell into some cow poo.

Just sayin...

Baby On Board

Babies crying is probably the last thing most of us want to hear. It's gone as far as prompting calls for parents traveling with sub-humans to be restricted to the back of commercial flights.

But, babies in the office?

Ain't no thang, according to South Shore CVA CEO Spero Batistatos. In fact, 14 babies (pictured) have been part of his office culture since 1997.

"It’s better to have the slight inconvenience of occasional crying from a baby than to lose an assistant I’ve had in place for years," according to the DMO boss you'd probably least associate with such a culture.

“I can say without hesitation, this In-Office Child Care program has benefitted far more than any distraction. It has contributed to the passion for the work and the cohesion of the staff.”

And, isn't that the most important thing for anyone attempting to run a high performance operation?

Click the link. Read the article.

Consider whether this could be your strategic advantage when other companies attempt to poach your superstars.

The New Ryan Budget

Color me as stunned as anyone that an avowed "business-first capitalist" like Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) would include the termination of Brand USA in his next gen budget. I mean, honestly...how does a generally accepted "smart guy" not understand the math?

And, the contention that government shouldn't be involved in things that aren't "core" to its mission? When the hell has that stopped government from being engaged in every facet of our life.

I know, I know...different party.

Here's the deal. This plays two ways:

1) He really has gone to the dark side in the name of partisan politics.

2) It's merely a bargaining chip. He knows (and expects) that this will be saved in the ultimate negotiations over the budget.

Call me Pollyanna...but I'm going with door number two. Which also suggests two different thoughts:

1) Tourism is still not respected enough as an industry not to be used as a pawn in a greater chess game.

2) This is the opportunity for our industry (all the industry) to step up and demand that this country's leadership stop playing games with one of the most important industries and exports we have going for us.

This is the call to action. Will we answer?

Joe 'n Daryl

After a brief hiatus, Live from Daryl's House is back. One of the most inspired online plays / artist comeback vehicles has recently jumped to cable, with new and past shows featured on Palladia.

Not familiar with the show? Here's the background for the previously uninitiated.

On this Music Friday, it's Joe Walsh with Daryl's band and "Rocky Mountain Way".

And, if you've never seen the show (or wanna screw off today), here's the whole smokin' episode.

Beware: You'll be hooked.

The Most Expensive Burger in Madison

While it's got nothing on the $5,000 burger at Las Vegas' Fluer, one Madison eatery offers its signature hamburger for a whopping $100.

The Fluerburger 5000 comes with a $5,300 bottle of wine (so, it's kinda like getting the burger for free).

Here in the Mad City, Pat O'Malley's Jet Room's $100 burger comes with a scenic airplane ride over the city.

Gotta love it!